Political Philosophy

This is a reading of my blog post “Christmas 2020: What Does the Incarnation Mean? Three Insights.” Instead of discussing whether the event happened or whether Jesus could really also be God, I ask “If we believe this, how does it change things?” The Incarnation puts us into an uncomfortable place, especially in this year when we can so clearly see how messed up the world has become, largely due to human actions. It puts us in an uncomfortable place because it asks way more of people than they have been willing to do so far. The blog post: https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/2020/12/24/christmas-2020-what-does-incarnation-mean/ Referenced: Jurgen Moltmann, The Crucified God: https://www.amazon.com/Crucified-God-Jurgen-Moltmann/dp/150640295X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1608825741&sr=1-1

Using an all-too-familiar modern story of social media seduction, consequent marital breakup, and the futile search for validation in new romantic relationships, I traverse chapters 6 and 7 in Charles Taylor’ Malaise of Modernity. The story is sadly commonplace, which is ironic because breakups are often done in the quest for authenticity. But for that reason, this story is an analog for what generally ails us. I cover some systemic reasons Taylor mentions which help explain why people often make relationship mistakes over and over again in the search for an authentic life, but I offer a critique as well. Charles Taylor does not adequately deal with the influence of capitalism as the underlying cause of the systemic reasons he does mention, and for the deep-rooted habits of “expressivism” that yield the shallow and trivial authenticity he criticizes. Capitalism feeds off of personal misery and the endless quest for fulfillment and makes it difficult (but not impossible?) to get beyond shallow authenticity. https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

This podcast discusses content from Chapters 4 and 5 of Charles Taylor’s The Malaise of Modernity (1991). Taylor patiently eviscerates contemporary vapid relativism as logically incoherent and socially destructive and discusses the inherently social nature of human beings. The consequences of claiming complete autonomy of choice based on our feelings include an inability to defend our positions and an ignorance about our true nature. The “complete autonomy” approach deprives us of the dialogue we need in our personal and social relationships that would help us make better choices in the pursuit of authenticity. https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

In this podcast I discuss the modern idea authenticity as developed in chapters 2 and 3 of Charles Taylor’s “The Malaise of Modernity” (CBC Massey Lecture Series, 1991). Taylor thinks that the ethic of authenticity is separable from the moral relativism, emotivism and narcissism with which it is associated by authors like Allan Bloom and Christopher Lasch, and that it holds promise as a modern moral ideal if we can do so. In these two chapters he begins to excavate why American (including Canadian, though probably less so) culture took a turn into flabby relativism and narcissism and how we might excavate the original meaning of authenticity to see if it holds true promise. To that end, he discusses its Romantic origins in the ideas of Rousseau and Herder. Along the way, I relate some of Taylor’s ideas the work of Isaiah Berlin and Leo Strauss. For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

Charles Taylor’s brief book, The Malaise of Modernity, published in 1991, identifies three worries that lead to a general malaise–a feeling of being lost or being in decline, feelings that are pervasive today. These worries stem from the problems associated with individualism, instrumental rationality and a decay of politics. All three are tied together. Unlike some other authors who also deal with these problems, Taylor sets out to see if there is any way that the true benefits that have developed from these three phenomena can be separated from their evils, and whether and how we can get out from under the domination of a new kind of authority stemming from technical rationality itself–the tutelary power of “soft despotism.” The ideas of Tocqueville, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche are briefly touched on because Taylor references them as indicative of elements of the malaise. For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

In this final part of my series on Eugene McCarraher’s The Enchantments of Mammon, I discuss ideas from his excellent epilogue, including his endorsement of Romantic sacramental radicalism, and his reference to Pope Francis as well as scholars like Hardt and Negri to make his case that we are challenged to a new way of life reflected in the phrase (in contrast to Rod Dreher’s “Benedict Option”) the (my words) “Francis Option.” Here’s the link to Matthew Chrulew’s article: https://read.dukeupress.edu/environmental-humanities/article/8/2/245/8138/Francis-s-Planetary-Practice For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

Diving into the concept of faith in the 'free market' and how it contrasts with traditional religions. Highlighting the enchanting allure and limitations of neoliberal capitalism. Exploring the shift towards treating economic forces as divine and the implications of blind faith in the market. Reflecting on the origins and consequences of neoliberal ideology.

Weaving insights from Eugene McCarraher (The Enchantments of Mammon), my interview with Chris Cutrone, and another authors I’ve covered over the last couple of years, along with my understanding of the history of political thought and rudimentary economics, I try to take the long view of the current impasse between “conservatives” and “liberals” in the US which has led to yet another very close and deeply divided presidential election, made worse by escalating resentments, tensions and paranoia. Why are we here? What’s wrong? The answer is way deeper than even “the democrats don’t get it” (although they don’t). For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

I discuss the theme of Disneyfication in Eugene McCarraher’s Enchantments of Mammon Part 5 on magical Fordism. I dwell on the function of entertainment to divert, vent and justify what McCarraher terms “Fordist drudgery” in order to keep Mammonism alive. The consequences are that much more time and mental space are devoted to a fantasy world than to either material reality or its transcendent Maker. For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/

In a discussion that launches from Part 4 of McCarraher’s The Enchantments of Mammon, especially the part on the Arts and Crafts movement and its preoccupation with beauty, we get into the question of how to view human labor and the material world. McCarraher’s sacramental view of nature informs a discussion of whether and how it is realistic and beneficial to see matter as sacred. What would it mean for Christianity and other religions if we did? What would it mean for work and for the economy? For more from me: https://lauriemjohnson.com/ https://politicalphilosophy.video.blog/ iTunes podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-philosophy-dr-laurie-m-johnson/id1473457784 Here’s the URL to the Political Philosophy Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608141959786172/about/